Cell Phones for Social Change

Harvard Crimson columnist Niharika S. Jain featured SeeClickFix in her opinion piece published today titled The Mobile Revolution - We can use cell phones for social change. In explaining how non-profits, businesses and citizens are leveraging this technology to promote social change and development, Jain used our platform as an example of how mobile phones are used to promote better governance through improved communication and delivery of services. She wrote:

...mobile phones can empower citizens to voice their needs and concerns to the government. For instance, SeeClickFix is a platform that allows people to submit information on everyday, non-emergency problems like a traffic light timing problem, road potholes, or blocked bike lanes. Governements can then effectively respond to these issues, as New Haven, Conn. policemen did when they arrested the culprits of petty neighborhood crimes reported through this platform.

From entrepreneurs reaching new markets in Ghana, to citizens disrupting the trade of fake prescription drugs in Nigeria, SeeClickFix is just one of many amazing examples Jain uses to illustrate the powerful impact this technology has on people looking to usher in meaningful social change.

With pothole season upon us SeeClickFix HQ is buzzing with excitement. Every Spring we see a considerable spike in citizen engagement platform wide. Our CEO Ben Berkowitz is famous for saying “potholes are the gateway to citizen engagement” and as the data shows he is spot on. We are all looking forward to see what municipalities have in store for their … Continued

SeeClickFix is not just a great way for citizens to get their concerns addressed by City Hall. In an era of budgetary pressure, it’s also a great way for cash-strapped municipalities to save money. This reality was highlighted very clearly in this insightful article in Government Technology. The basic problem the article outlines is that … Continued

James Cappleman is running for Alderman in the 46th Ward in Chicago. He also is receiving publicly documented concerns from his constituents via SeeClickFix. On February 3rd Cappleman announced that he would like to see SeeClickFix integrated into the City of Chicago's business process. While the city can pay for SeeClickFix's pro tools we encourage … Continued